College Planning Night December 7, 2016

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Lionel Lane
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1 College Planning Night December 7, 2016

2 Welcome to College Planning Night! Introductions Agenda Graduation Requirements/Plans Rank/GPA Advanced Coursework College Entrance Exams PSAT Scores & Awesome Prep Resources College Planning Timeline Resources

3 Graduating from High School To earn a diploma in LVISD, you must: Earn 28 credits Pass required courses specified by graduation plan Pass STAAR EOC tests: English 1, English 2, Algebra 1, Biology, US History

4 What is a Credit? One credit = 1 full year in a class One half credit = 1 semester of a class To earn a credit: Semesters averaged must be 70% or greater Must attend 90% of days allotted each year for course credit Must earn required number of credits to be promoted from one grade to the next and to graduate.

5 Graduation Plans Students have 2 main options: Foundation High School Plan (FHSP) Plus Endorsement Distinguished Achievement Plan (DAP) 3 rd option (FHSP Only) doesn t meet most eligibility requirements for fouryear colleges and universities.

6 FHSP Plus Endorsement 4 credits English Language Arts 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits Science 3 credits Social Studies 1 credit PE or PE Substitute 1 credit Fine Arts 2 credits Foreign Language (LOTE).5-1 credit Speech*.5 credit Health/LNW*.5 credit Personal Financial Literacy (Money Matters)* 4 credits Electives in a coherent sequence (Endorsement) *Local Requirement

7 Endorsements? Think of it as a major except in HS. Personalized learning plan in line with a student s interests and goals. Selected upon entering 9th grade May be changed at any time with parent approval by working through the campus counselor.

8 Distinguished Achievement Plan (DAP) All requirements of FHSP Plus Endorsement AND Algebra II All students enter high school under the DAP Plan with an Endorsement DAP is required to be eligible for automatic admission into state universities if they graduate in the top 10% of their class* *The University of Texas has more stringent admissions requirements.

Performance Acknowledgments Outstanding performance in: Bilingualism and biliteracy; In a dual credit course, on an AP or IB exam; On certain national college

9 Performance Acknowledgments Outstanding performance in: Bilingualism and biliteracy; In a dual credit course, on an AP or IB exam; On certain national college preparatory and readiness or college entrance exams; or Earning a state recognized or nationally or internationally recognized license or certificate. Sprinkles on the Cupcake!

10 GPA and Rank

11 Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculated average letter grades earned Colleges use this to measure your overall performance in high school LVISD uses a weighted GPA scale Advanced classes (AP, Dual Credit, OnRamps) receive extra weight Strong Coursework + Good Grades = Higher GPA Higher GPA = Better chance of getting into college of your choice!

12 Class Rank All students ranked in order of GPA Determined by averaging all semester grades earned in eligible classes Eligible high school courses from middle school are included #1 = Valedictorian #2 = Salutatorian Top 10% = Automatic Admissions

13 Top 10% College Admissions Ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class Eligible for automatic admission to any public university in Texas except for the University of Texas Admission does not guarantee acceptance into a particular college of study or department

14 Advanced Course Options

15 Pre-AP Prepare students for success in college level course work in high school and beyond. Are more academically challenging and require more independent learning Frequently have summer assignments Weighted HS credit Are NOT all or nothing Students develop academic readiness at different rates and may not be ready for Pre-AP at the same time as their friends or classmates. Review entry and exit guidelines in the course guide!

16 Advanced Placement (AP) For students who wish to pursue college-level studies while in high school Frequently have summer assignments Weighted HS credit Additional weight for taking AP exam May earn college credit based on score on AP test (generally 3 or higher) Review entry and exit guidelines in the course guide!

17 Dual Credit Enroll in college courses while in high school Credit counts toward high school graduation and earns regular college credit AND saves money! Weighted HS credit LVISD offers multiple options: OnRamps through UT-Austin, ACC Dual Credit, & TXVSN. Have eligibility requirements (TSI). Check with prospective colleges to determine if a course will count! Review entry and exit guidelines in the course guide!

18 Getting Ready for College

19 College Visits Juniors and seniors are allowed two college visit days per year. Principal must give prior approval. College Day permission form available in the office. Students need to provide verification of the college visit.

20 College Entrance Exams Standardized tests are required for entry into most colleges/universities. Three primary exams: Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) Texas Only Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) American College Test (ACT)

21 TSIA Prior to enrollment in a Texas public college or university, students must demonstrate readiness or meet TSI in English & Math May take a standardized test called the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment SAT/ACT also allow students to meet TSI Meeting TSI is required before a student enrolls in a dual-credit course State law allows students to exempt TSI for dual credit purposes only Level 2 final recommended score English II EOC 435 on the ACT-Aspire English test; 431 on the ACT-Aspire Math PSAT/NMSQT - but scores still haven t been determined.

22 SAT/ACT Many colleges require either ACT or the SAT for admission. These exams are usually taken at the end of the junior year. Preparatory and readiness assessments for the SAT and ACT are the PSAT and ACT-Aspire.

23 LVISD and PSAT

24 Why the PSAT? Students take for free in 8 th, 9 th, 10 th, and 11 th grades. (Thank you LVISDEF!) Identify academic strengths and weaknesses. Practice for the SAT that will have an impact on their college application process. FREE personalized SAT & college planning tools online.

25 National Merit PSAT/NMSQT qualifies 11 th graders for the National Merit Scholarship Program Complicated process determined after test and is based on Selection Index Must answer four questions correctly to be entered Two levels of recognition: Commended - top 3% nationally Semifinalist - top 1% by state One word - SCHOLARSHIPS

26 National Merit 4 Questions Student answer document must indicate that he/she: Is in 11th grade Is planning to graduate on time Is planning to enroll in a full-time college no later than the fall after graduation, and Is a US citizen or lawful resident who intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law.

27 National Merit Selection Index To calculate, double the sum of of your Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Test scores. In 2016, the national Selection Index score for National Merit Commended was 209. In 2016, the Selection Index score for National Merit Semifinalists was 220 in Texas. It s important to remember that being in the top 99% of ALL test takers is not the same as being at the top of the students who qualify to enter the program it s a higher bar.

28 Changes to PSAT/SAT in 2015 The score range is 1520 (not 1600!) Range of 160 to 760 for both the Math and Reading/Writing sections. Reading and Writing sections are combined into one overall score.

29 Changes to Remember Words in Context: No more obscure and seemingly random words, commonly called SAT words. Now students will encounter relevant words and phrases that derive their meanings form the contexts in which they are used.

30 Changes to Remember No Penalty for Guessing: The redesigned tests remove the penalty for guessing that has been used to score the SAT in the past.

31 Fall 2016 PSAT 8/9 (Current 8 th Graders) 8th Grade Lago Vista Middle School 103 Test Takers 16 Test Takers - Top 90% Nationally (16%) 1 Test Taker - Top 99% Nationally!!! District Mean Total Score = 863 State Mean Total Score = 805 (+58 points) National Mean Total Score = 814 (+49 points) Total Score Range:

32 Fall 2016 PSAT 8/9 (Current 9 th Graders) 9th Grade Lago Vista High School 87 Test Takers 14 Test Takers - Top 90% Nationally (16%) 2 Test Takers - Top 99% Nationally!!! District Mean Total Score = 904 State Mean Total Score = 856 (+48 points) National Mean Total Score = 870 (+34 points) Total Score Range:

33 Fall 2016 PSAT/NMSQT (Current 10 th Graders) 10th Grade Lago Vista High School 77 Test Takers 5 Test Takers - Top 90% Nationally (6%) District Mean Total Score = 934 State Mean Total Score = 908 (+26 points) National Mean Total Score = 938 (-4 points) Total Score Range:

34 Fall 2016 PSAT/NMSQT (Current 11 th Graders) 11th Grade Lago Vista High School 107 Test Takers 11 Test Takers - Top 90% Nationally (10%) 1 Test Taker - Top 99% Nationally!!! District Mean Total Score = 993 State Mean Total Score = 970 (+23 points) National Mean Total Score = 1019 (-26 points) Total Score Range:

35 Best Effort is Important 1. Money for College On PSAT NMSQT, students should say Yes to Student Search Service 2. National Merit Scholarship Program 3. Learn What Students Need to Improve Let scores reflect what students really know Use the tools to improve 4. Don t let students close doors before they decide if you want to go through them!

36 Khan Academy & Big Future Access Using the FREE access provided by College Board, students can access: An online score report A customized SAT study plan with free access to Khan Academy Parents You can create an account and link it to coach your student! Access to Big Future - an interactive majors, college, and career exploration program Feedback on readiness for AP courses Access to scholarship information

37 Khan Academy & Big Future Access

38 Students Have FOUR Easy Steps! 1. Create a College Board Account Set up a College Board/Khan Academy Account Link your scores. 4. Add a coach. All you need is their .

39 Confidence

40 Paying for College

41 Financial Aid Loans: You pay back/must qualify Grants: You do not pay back/must qualify Work Study: Employment through the university/must qualify FAFSA: Apply starting October 1st of your Senior year parents/students must have tax info ready. Sign up early for your FAFSA ID.

42 TEXAS GRANT The TEXAS Grant, in combination with other aid, will pay your tuition and fees at Texas public colleges and universities. You are eligible if you are a Texas resident; have not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving a controlled substance; complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need.

43 Bottom Line: What Colleges Want to Know What is your academic history and GPA? Did you take challenging classes in high school and a strong senior year schedule? How do your ACT/SAT scores compare with other students scores? What honors and awards have you received? What extracurricular activities/volunteer activities are you involved in? What does your college essay say about your writing ability and about you? What do recommendations say about you?

44 Resources

45 Hard Work Pays Off Start Now!

Testing for the Homeschooled High Schooler: SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP, PSAT, SAT II

Testing for the Homeschooled High Schooler: SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP, PSAT, SAT II Does my student *have* to take tests? What exams do students need to take to prepare for college admissions? What are the differences